Bacteria for Plant Growth Promotion and Disease Management

Abstract

The present article focuses on the role of free living bacteria in the suppression of soil-borne phytopathogens mainly Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and the actinomycetes. It also focuses on Plant –rhizobacteria interactions are involved in root colonization and molecular and biochemical basis of root colonization. Recently, the plant a ssociated bacteria called plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have received great attention for use as a biofertilizer and/or biopesticides for the sustainability of agro-ecosystems. Due to their deleterious effects on plant health, plant pathogens are one of the major problems for crop productivity. The present paper presents the traits involved in root colonization by rhizobacteria, the most important rhizobacteria and PGPRs used as biocontrol agents, and their role in suppression of plant diseases either in natural disease-suppressive soils or as introduced biocontrol agents for plant disease management. The paper also emphasizes the biochemical and molecular traits involved in disease suppression (production of siderophores, lytic enzymes, antibiotics, and induction of systemic resistance).